Central America by H. C. Goodrich

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 6, 1905

Central America

By H. C. Goodrich

LA CEIBA, SPANISH HONDURAS.—After a very pleasant voyage of two days from Belize, I came to this place. Brother Bellinger is with me, as he wished to see the land on this coast. But he is suffering with quite a severe attack of sciatic rheumatism, and will return to the States. I regret this very much. When I think of Brother Holmden, and Brother Corwin, and now Brother Bellinger, all driven from this field by sickness, it seems a little discouraging. Still I believe we shall see help from some source soon.

I find Mr. and Mrs. Allen quite well. Mr. Allen has sold a great many books along this coast. One of these books fell into the hands of a young man living at Porvenir, who was a gambler, and had lost quite a competency in that way. Last January he borrowed "Bible Readings." Reading it, he was convinced of the sinfulness of his life, and gave his heart to the Lord, and accepted the Sabbath, keeping it three weeks before he knew there were any other Sabbath-keepers near. And this was not all. He had a partner in the tailor business—a Spaniard, who can not speak English. He talked the truth to him till he and his wife have also accepted the Sabbath. The Spaniard used rum freely, and also tobacco. The brother told him that he must give up both. He promised to give up the rum, but said he could never give up tobacco. I sold him a Spanish Bible, then pointed to 2 Cor. 7:1. He read it, and after a moment's pause, said, "I will use no more tobacco." And he has not.

I stayed in Porvenir ten days. A well-to-do man opened his house for meetings, and I spoke to the very few who came, sold "History of the Sabbath" to the house owner, and I hope that he and his wife will obey soon. Coming back to Ceiba, I went with Mr. Allen to visit one of his interested ones. This man acknowledged the binding obligation of the Sabbath, but said, "Give me a little time." When we called his attention to the fact that this was the last message, and that time was short, he said, "I will be with you next Sabbath."

We praise the Lord for all these indications that the time has come for him to work mightily for his truth, and for us also, that we be ready for every opportunity.

Mr. Allen is slowly getting a hold in this place. He received the co-operation of several citizens, and they have bought lumber and made desks, rented a house, and have a school of nineteen students, with the promise of more. A young lady of Belize is teaching the school, and it is patronized by the government officers and the best people of the town. Several interested ones are studying, and we are but just beginning in Spanish Honduras. It seems to me there are many evidences that the Lord is going before us in the work for the Spanish people. I am praying that you may see your way clear to send more workers. We want a man who can learn the Spanish language, or better yet, one who has learned it. One of our greatest needs is a traveling colporteur to sell our literature and Bibles in the interior. That would require a horse, and would mean some extra expense, but I believe it would pay well. If we could print tracts and small books here, we would be in a much better condition to reach the people. And we would need men and women to carry them, as much as a press to print them.

H. C. GOODRICH.